Bay of Bengal weather system weakens as IMD tracks movement toward Myanmar and Bangladesh

Weather System Update

The depression over coastal Myanmar and the northeast Bay of Bengal is moving north-northwestwards at a speed of 13 kilometres per hour over the past six hours. The system was centred near latitude 21.4°N and longitude 94.0°E, close to Mindat in Myanmar. It was located about 140 kilometres south-southeast of Hakha, 250 kilometres east-southeast of Chittagong in Bangladesh, 310 kilometres south-southeast of Lengpui in Mizoram, and 370 kilometres south of Imphal in Manipur.

Movement and Forecast

The system is very likely to move further north-northwestwards and weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area over coastal Myanmar, southeast Bangladesh, and the northeast Bay of Bengal during the next 12 hours. It will then continue moving towards southeast Bangladesh, Mizoram, Tripura, and adjacent areas while gradually weakening over the subsequent 24 hours. Earlier on September 29, the system was moving at a speed of about 32 kilometres per hour before slowing down to 13 kilometres per hour by late night.

Regional Impacts

Rain and thunder showers are likely in some areas of Andaman and Nicobar. Coastal regions of West Bengal may also experience some rainfall due to the weather system. Long swell waves measuring 1.1 to 2 metres high are expected to rise over the Andaman Sea until the night of September 30. Additionally, according to Prabhat Khabar reports, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the east-central and northeast parts of the Bay of Bengal near the Myanmar-Bangladesh coast.

Context

Weather depressions in the Bay of Bengal frequently bring heavy rainfall and rough sea conditions to coastal and northeastern regions of India as well as neighbouring countries during this time of the year. Meteorological departments closely monitor these low-pressure systems to issue timely advisories for shipping and coastal safety. Such systems gradually lose their intensity after moving over landmasses.